NAM.2001-04-37-1

British War Medal 1914-20. Awarded to Gunner Thomas W Bage, Durham Royal Garrison Artillery (Territorial). Silver campaign medal with a portrait of King George V facing left with the inscription, ‘Georgivs V Britt: Omn: Rex Et Ind Imp:’, on the obverse and an equestrian figure of St George, trampling a shield bearing the Prussian eagle, on the reverse. Additional designs on the reverse include the years, ‘1914’ and ‘1918’, a skull and crossed bones representing death and a rising sun, representing victory. Orange corded silk ribbon edged with blue and white vertical stripes. Gunner Thomas W Bage took part in the defence of Hartlepool from bombardment by the German Navy, 16 Dec 1914. The Durham Royal Garrison Artillery were the only coastal defence unit to engage the enemy in action throughout World War One. The British War Medal 1914-20 was normally only awarded to all ranks who saw active service overseas, however, in special recognition of the action at Hartlepool, the medal was awarded to all members of the Durham Royal Garrison Artillery.

Hartlepool, Bombardment of, 1914 (World War One, Home Front 1914-1918)